So I know Karen recently posted about this, but I have two more requests, as I am going to Europe and beyond and also will need more power:

I want to be able to use heavy-duty stuff like my laptop and hair dryer. I also may need it for lower voltage stuff (though I can't think what exactly). Is there an adapter that will do high and low voltages? Sorry if this is a woefully ignorant question.

Also, I'm going to be in a European country and then a Middle Eastern one. Is there an adapter that will work for both countries?

Thanks so much!

B

Here's an answer that I agree with from askville.amazon.com:

First of all you might want to check your laptop power supply and verify that it is 110 only. A lot of the newer laptops are coming with power supplies that can run 100 - 240V. On the bottom of the power supply brick you should see all the related electrical info. There should be something that says something like :

Input 120

or

Input 100 - 240

If you've got one that ranges up to 240, then you're good to go. The only thing you'll need is a plug adapter for whatever country you're going to.

If it is only rated for between 100 and 120, then your best bet is a new power supply. Most transformers are not designed for electronics, [my emphasis] so I wouldn't go that route.

I'd recommend a universal laptop power supply rather than one for your specific laptop. That way you will have an extra power supply in the future when you upgrade.

---

Karen says: if you need to upgrade your power adapter, a good Universal choice is:

Lenmar LAC130U 130W Universal Laptop AC Power Supply with USB port - $55 on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Lenmar-LAC130U-Universal-Laptop-Supply/dp/B000VNMK7M/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top


You'll also need plug adapters for the countries where you're going. Without knowing what they are, I can't tell you exactly which plug adapters to get (UK uses different plugs from France, etc.). I suggest you go up to Amazon.com and search on "plug adapter" in the Electronics section to find what you need.

As for that hair dryer...transform at your own risk. Every time I've tried using a transformer with a high-power-demanding appliance like a hair dryer, I've ended up blowing the transformer up. You might be better off finding yourself a cheap hair dryer at a shop in the country, instead of taking your own.

--
Karen Mercedes - contralto
singwiththespirit [at] yahoo [dot] com
http://artfuljesus.0catch.com/karenmercedes.html

You just need a plug adaptor. The laptop already converts the power (which it's already doing everytime you plug it in anywhere). This is what I did in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Holland, Denmark and Sweden with no problems ever.

Buy a local hairdryer. Hairdryers are notorious for blowing fuses especially in older hotels. They use a lot of power and the coverters never seem to do the job. Just buy a cheap one for 10 euros which is probably what the converter will cost anyway if not more. This is a lesson I learned in Germany.

Houndentenor

"Get the trash off the street and back on the stage where it belongs." -- Bette Midler

Do not use a transformer (the big heavy power brick-type converter) with any electronics. They'll fry.

Remember, you're dealing with two different things - Voltage (which changes from country to country, US is 110, France 220, UK 240 etc) and wattage. Most electronics (like cell phones, Palms, Blackberries, computers, etc) are low wattage. Hairdryers are high wattage. I don't think the wattage use changes as you go from country to country.

All Mac/Apple laptops come with dual-voltage power converters. I've never had to use anything other than a plug adapter, and Apple also sells snap-on plug adapters for their products, which are really great if you spend loads of time on the road.

I agree re: hairdryer. If you want to go cheap, just buy a cheapo one there and save the cash. Don't ruin the one you have at home using a converter. Your US one will burn up in a minute on 220-240V. One bought for use at 220-240 won't even get hot or run fast enough on 110-120V.

Now, I have a very expensive, amazing travel hairdryer which does dual-voltage. But I spend 10 months a year on the road, and have hit about 5 different continents with this thing and never had a problem...a good set of plug adapters and I am good to go with it. It's a worthwhile investment for me, and is the only dryer I use, even at home...it's T3 ionic travel dryer, and I got it at Sephora (online). Not cheap, but worth every penny to me..it takes quite a beating in my suitcase and on the road. The other great thing about it is the super-long cord...you never know where an outlet will be, and often they're nowhere near a mirror, so this is helpful too.

Good luck on the road!

Yeah, so I was so brain dead last night that the only bus I could find from Atlantic City to NYC took 24 hours... yeah, I know, what?

Anyway, thanks for your help! My old-ass Mac, dubbed Granny Smith, actually does have the 110 - 240V, so I'm good to go! The Apple plug adapters are more expensive than others I've found - for example this $10.00 set, which I hope will work well:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=international+plug+adapters&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=9899046424121106160&sa=title#ps-sellers

(adding link for future reference if anyone needs it)

And it has the names of countries on them to help me from using the wrong plug (although I'll probably double-check with online pictures to be sure).

AND I'm just not going to bring my diffuser. I was only concerned because I was worried they wouldn't sell diffusers in Bruges (first country) but they have to have curly-haired people there, right?? :-P

Oh, one more question! Will a diffuser I buy in Belgium work in Israel (second country) with plug adapters? Or will it still fry because of wattage issues?

Thanks so much for your help ladies! I just didn't even know what to look for.

<3 B

http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

--
Karen Mercedes - contralto
singwiththespirit [at] yahoo [dot] com
http://artfuljesus.0catch.com/karenmercedes.html